AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn track & field hurdler Ja’Kobe Tharp has been selected as one of 10 men’s semifinalists for the prestigious Bowerman Award, as announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Thursday afternoon.
Two weeks ago in Eugene, Oregon, at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Tharp won his second national title of the year. His time of 13.05 in the 110m hurdles was the fifth fastest collegiately ever and the third fastest in the world this year. Tharp was Auburn’s first 110m hurdles national champion since Ty Akins in 2007. He was awarded First Team America honors for his performance.
The Murfreesboro, Tennessee, native helped lead the men’s team to a fourth-place finish at the outdoor championships. It was the Tigers’ third consecutive trophy on the men’s side after taking third at the indoor championships this year. They were national runners-up at the 2024 outdoor championships.
Competing in Lexington, Kentucky, at the SEC Outdoor Championship, Tharp broke his then school record in the 110m hurdles (13.15) to take silver. Tharp, who won the SEC title in 2024, was the first Tiger to medal back-to-back in the event since Ty Akins (2007 & 2008). He was named to the All-SEC Men’s Second Team for his efforts.
He now holds the eight fastest 110m hurdles times in program history.
Tharp also had a productive indoor season. At his first NCAA Indoor Championships, Tharp ran a lifetime best of 7.45 in the 60m hurdles to win Auburn’s first men’s indoor national title since Olympian Donald Thomas secured gold in the high jump in 2007. It was the first sprint individual title since U.S. Olympian Coby Miller won the 200m in 1999. Tharp’s time of 7.45 broke his own record and was the eighth fastest in the world this year. He was awarded First Team distinction.
The men finished third overall in the team standings, their second consecutive trophy.
At the indoor conference championships, Tharp earned Auburn’s first gold at SEC indoors in the 60m hurdles since Ty Akins won in 2008. With a time of 7.48, Tharp broke his then school record, setting a meet record. He went on to be named All-SEC First Team.
In the indoor 60m hurdles, Tharp holds eight of the nine fastest times in program history.
Tharp has been named USTFCCCA South Region Men’s Track Athlete of the Year at the conclusion of the indoor and outdoor season and made seven appearances on the Bowerman Watch List.
Semifinalists are selected from a ranked-ordered list of ten athletes who the Bowerman Advisory Board believes had the most exceptional season. The board has created watch lists during the season. The consensus of the group is represented in the list of semifinalists.
Named after Oregon head track & field coach Bill Bowerman, The Bowerman began in 2009 and is presented each year to the most outstanding male and female athletes in the nation at the end of the season. Leo Neugebauer from Texas and Parker Valby from Florida took the titles last season.
The women’s finalists will be announced Monday, July 7th, and the men’s finalists will be announced Tuesday, July 8th. Both the men and women will have three athletes selected as the finalists.
To read more about the Semifinalists, visit here.
Men’s Bowerman 2025 Semifinalist
**Mykolas Alekna, California (Discus)
Jordan Anthony, Arkansas (Sprints)
James Corrigan, BYU (Mid-Distance/Steeple)
Nathaniel Ezekiel, Baylor (Sprints/Hurdles)
Ishmael Kipkurui, New Mexico (Distance)
Carlie Makarawu, Kentucky (Sprints)
Ralford Mullings, Oklahoma (Throws)
Brian Musau, Oklahoma State (Distance)
Ethan Strand, North Carolina (Mid-Distance/Distance)
Ja'Kobe Tharp, Auburn (Hurdles)
** three-time semifinalist
Women’s Bowerman 2025 Semifinalist
Aaliyah Butler, Georgia (Sprints)
JaMeesia Ford, South Carolina (Sprints)
Pamela Kosgei, New Mexico (Distance)
Elena Kulichenko, Georgia (Jumps)
Mya Lesnar, Colorado State (Throws)
*Doris Lemngole, Alabama (Distance)
Amanda Moll, Washington (Pole Vault)
Hana Moll, Washington (Pole Vault)
Savannah Sutherland, Michigan (Sprints/Hurdles)
Roisin Willis, Stanford (Mid-Distance)
* two-time semifinalist